On Sunday, the Detroit Lions signed former All-Pro safety Jamal Adams to their practice squad. Adams, 29, had a brief stint with the Tennessee Titans this season, appearing in only three games before being released in mid-October. He played just 20 snaps and received a Pro Football Focus grade of 49.8. Despite this limited sample size, Adams has had a much more successful career in the past.
Adams was a three-time All-Pro with the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks, but injuries have hindered his performance in recent years. He played just 10 games combined in 2022 and 2023. After the Seahawks let him go following the 2023 season, Adams signed a one-year deal with the Titans. Now, with the Lions, he hopes to revive his career, joining a defense that has been plagued by injuries.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Adams expressed his enthusiasm about joining Detroit, mentioning that staying sharp while at home in Dallas helped him stay ready for the opportunity. “When Aaron Glenn called, it was a no-brainer for me,” Adams said. The Lions’ defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, has a history with Adams, having served as the Saints’ defensive backs coach in 2017 and running Adams’ Pro Day when he was coming out of LSU. Adams praised Glenn as both a great coach and an even better person.
Currently, the Lions’ starting safeties are Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, with Loren Strickland and Brandon Joseph serving as backups. Given the team’s mounting injuries at linebacker, including the loss of Alex Anzalone (broken forearm) and Malcolm Rodriguez (season-ending injury), there’s a possibility Adams could be asked to fill in at linebacker. The Lions recently signed former All-Pro linebacker Kwon Alexander, and now Adams will provide additional depth.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell commented on the addition of Adams, noting that his versatility offers the team options. “We’ll see if there’s a place for him,” Campbell said, emphasizing that the team will play whoever can contribute the most. He also mentioned the possibility of Adams contributing at linebacker or even defensive end, depending on the team’s needs. Adams, for his part, is excited to join a team that is currently on a strong winning streak, stating, “They’ve been kicking everybody’s a**… I’m just fortunate to be on a team that’s rolling like this.” He’s ready to do whatever he can to help the Lions continue their success.
